@NMiller640 Not sure about regular Desktop, but the Accountant version definitely allows you to have a secondary QuickBooks window and company file open.
That said, most payroll functions will be unavailable in the secondary QuickBooks window.
It's great that you're looking to optimize your use of QuickBooks Desktop, NMiller640.
I'll go into detail about which version of QuickBooks Desktop enables you to have two company files open simultaneously.
Only QuickBooks Accountant and QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise allow you to do this. In these versions, the first opened file is labeled Primary, and the second is labeled Secondary.
However, it's important to note that not all QuickBooks versions have this capability. Both QuickBooks Pro and Premier versions lack the functionality to open multiple company files simultaneously. So, if you're working with one of those versions, you'll need to manage one company file at a time.
If you have more questions or need help with QuickBooks and managing multiple company files, feel free to ask, NMiller640. I'm here to help you make the most of your QuickBooks experience.